Question For Saratoga Folks - Page 2

Linny · #21 09-16-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptgiven

look at past attendances at Saratoga on Traver's Day, they've had crowds of 65,000 and have been able to accommodate all the people, put me on this bc committee and i'll get the breeders cup at saratoga LOL

On giveaway days they claim to have 70k but many leave w/out seeing a race and about 30k at spinners with 30 umbrellas/t shirts/glasses etc. The fact is that except a few offices and the rest rooms, you are never really INDOORS at Saratoga. The whole place is open, front and back. All you have is a roof over your heard. The clubhouse/grandstand complex seats about 8k. The bulk of the folks in attendance on the typical 30k day are sitting on benches outside, at picnic tables or ON THE GROUND if they are sitting at all.
I've been at the Spa on days when it was about 60 degrees and it's damn cold and there is no place to go. At least at Belmont most of the grandstand/clubhouse is enclosed. If I'm sitting in a reserved clubouse seat, I can go inside to warm up if needed.
As much as the idea is nice in theory, I'm really not for it. As pleasant as it would be to have a late season reunion with so many of my racing friends, here at home I can't say I'm in favor. I can recall trick or treating in snowstorms as a child and later with my own son. I am not sure what you do with 20k people planning on sitting outside when the temperature dips to 40 by the time of the Classic. At least folks will save money on ice to keep the beers cold.

Keep 'em in the snowbanks!

fpsoxfan · #22 09-17-2007, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus

I can hear the pre-race announcements of the changes now... "Snowshoes on the 1,2,3,4,6 and 7."

lol...

boswd · #23 09-17-2007, 08:31 AM

The weather isn't the issue. They've held it in Chicago, and Canada for pete's sake. The risk of a cold weather blast would be no greater at Saratoga than it would be a Belmont or Monmouth.

They have plenty of space to hold out. Hell they've held it Lone Star Park which is as small of a venue you can get The no room and the weather is all BS.

The bottom line is to why they haven't held it a Saratoga is NYRA doesn't feel it would be worth the effort to strip down Belmont of all the equipment and ship it back up to Saratoga just for one day when they have everything all set up and ready to go at Belmont. That is the ONLY reason why Saratoga hasn't hosted.

There maybe a time in the future where Saratoga may host it, sort of Tribute sort of thing, kind of like when Fenway hosted the AllStar Game. I see that happening but you'll never see Saratoga in the rotation.

ARyan · #24 09-17-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus

I can hear the pre-race announcements of the changes now... "Snowshoes on the 1,2,3,4,6 and 7."

I am jumping through my skin, as I wait to post the actual weather of the Breeders Cup day in Saratoga this year. Some of you act like it is non-stop blizzard, freezing winds and freezing rain up here from September 1st to Memorial Day. I was unaware that Saratoga, NY is located so far north of Monmouth and Belmont that it is considered in the Artic Circle.

I have lived just outside of Saratoga for all of my life (outside of my college years). I have seen it snow in October, and I have seen heat waves in October. Most of these posts about the weather have just been so overly exaggerated that it borders on lunacy.

That being said...the logistics of having a BC at the Spa just does not add up, and (as much as I would like to have a BC at Saratoga) I highly doubt it would ever happen.

boswd · #25 09-17-2007, 10:52 AM

That's nonsense, also as pointed out the place has held in excess of 50,000 on non spinner Travers Day with the last huge outing was when Point Given ran and that had something like 61,000. The backyard area is a huge plus in Saratoga's favor. You act like eveyone is going to be huddled around garbage cans with a lit fire in it. It's not held in January, it's either the last weekend in October or the first in Nov. The weather is not the issue.

The average attendance at the Breeders Cup is around 50,000 people. Saratoga has and can handle that. 150,000 people do not show up to the BC.

It's all about logistics with tearing down the equipment that they just took down at the begining of Sept and lugging it all the way back upstate and then doing it allover again to go back down to Belmont. Just for one day.

saratogabrit · #26 09-17-2007, 10:53 AM

The weather wouldn't be a problem. Late fall is beautiful up there. It was 70 the day I closed on my condo-and that was November 30th.

The logistics would be a problem as Sniper pointed out that NYRA would have to move all the equipment up to Saratoga for a 2-4 day meet, there would be a shortage of local accomodation as none of the rentals available for the meet would be available and I wonder if Albany Airport could cope with the influx of visitors for the event. It's a completely different scenario to the meet. Then the bulk of the racefans are local and a minority fly in. At Breeders' Cup expect about 8,000 British and Irish fans (compared to just me and Kev) who will either have to change planes to get to Albany or take one of the 2 trains a day from New York that arrive in Saratoga-with not much prospect for increasing that as the line is single track.

boswd · #27 09-17-2007, 11:01 AM

the accomdations wouldn't be a problem because people who either owned hotels or vacation rentals would know about Saratoga hosting years in advance and would make proper arrangements.

As far as Albany airport in handling the influx of people flying in? This isn't the Super Bowl and the Ky Derby going on on the same day. That wouldn't be the issue at all.

GPK · #28 09-17-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Huh? The weather is beautiful? I give up. You might have gotten lucky for one day when you closed on your condo, but for the most part it's cold. I'm sure Albany Airport would be fine.

The floor there aint that comfortable....trust me.

boswd · #29 09-17-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Huh? The weather is beautiful? I give up. You might have gotten lucky for one day when you closed on your condo, but for the most part it's cold. I'm sure Albany Airport would be fine.

And it's the Bahama's weather at Belmont or Chicago or Woodbine? I don't get it at all. I'm willing to bet the temp this year at Saratoga during the BC is 50 degrees. Were not talking winter gear here.

ARyan · #30 09-17-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I really don't get what you are missing here. I live here. Trust me, NO ONE will be in the backyard when it's 30-40 degrees. Sure Saratoga can accomodate 50-60 thousand, because most are in the backyard, because it is the summer. You act as if it's not that cold in late October, early Novemeber.

I am sure if they felt it was worth it, they could run a weekend meet, like Monmouth is doing and Gulfstream used to when they held the BC. It's all about space and weather, combined. Just say it is 30-40 degrees. Do you really think anyone will be in the backyard? And if they are not in the backyard, where are they going to go?

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...87?from=search
http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...?climoMonth=10

Explain to me how you come up with 30 to 40 degree weather on an average Late October - Early November day? Please, show me? The average daytime highs are right around 54-58 degrees. Unless they plan on having the first night run BC, you are dead wrong about the weather.

I do not think the BC will ever come to Saratoga, but your reasoning is beyond wrong.

For further comparison;

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...Y1287&clocid2=

blackthroatedwind · #31 09-17-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boswd

And it's the Bahama's weather at Belmont or Chicago or Woodbine? I don't get it at all. I'm willing to bet the temp this year at Saratoga during the BC is 50 degrees. Were not talking winter gear here.

Those places have massive areas that are enclosed.....Saratoga has none.

blackthroatedwind · #32 09-17-2007, 11:07 AM

I would like to suggest that anyone here confused about Saratoga Race Track in late October should pack themselves a picnic lunch on BC day and spend five hours eating it in the third floor dining room.

Bundle up!

boswd · #33 09-17-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

No it's not, and for some reason you refuse to see the other point that I continue to make. People will not be in the backyard when it's 50 degrees. Thats's not warm. Belmont and Chicago have plenty of room inside for people to be. Saratoga doesn't. Is that even negotiable?

50 plus degress is cold? are you kidding me? People won't be in the back yard if it's around 50 to 60 degrees? What??????????????

saratogabrit · #34 09-17-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boswd

That's nonsense, also as pointed out the place has held in excess of 50,000 on non spinner Travers Day with the last huge outing was when Point Given ran and that had something like 61,000. The backyard area is a huge plus in Saratoga's favor. You act like eveyone is going to be huddled around garbage cans with a lit fire in it. It's not held in January, it's either the last weekend in October or the first in Nov. The weather is not the issue.

The average attendance at the Breeders Cup is around 50,000 people. Saratoga has and can handle that. 150,000 people do not show up to the BC.

It's all about logistics with tearing down the equipment that they just took down at the begining of Sept and lugging it all the way back upstate and then doing it allover again to go back down to Belmont. Just for one day.

What the weather will do is in the lap of gods but what you appear to be missing is that a completely different crowd would go to a Saratoga Breeders' Cup than attends Travers day.

The number of locals that attend the day/s would drop dramatically-rain,sun or snow-as they won't pay the price of entrance/seats that the 10,000+ visitors from overseas and the thousands of North American racefans need.

And where will everyone stay-the meet works because hundreds of people either vacate their homes or rent to track people in-between Skidmore and Navy lets. And how will people get there?

blackthroatedwind · #35 09-17-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boswd

50 plus degress is cold? are you kidding me? People won't be in the back yard if it's around 50 to 60 degrees? What??????????????

If you think the BC crowd is the same backyard picnic crowd that fills Saratoga in August then you are mistaken.

ARyan · #36 09-17-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I would like to suggest that anyone here confused about Saratoga Race Track in late October should pack themselves a picnic lunch on BC day and spend five hours eating it in the third floor dining room.

Bundle up!

Agreed. Being in the picnic are with some sun shining down would be much much warmer then up there.

Linny · #37 09-17-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boswd

the accomdations wouldn't be a problem because people who either owned hotels or vacation rentals would know about Saratoga hosting years in advance and would make proper arrangements.

As far as Albany airport in handling the influx of people flying in? This isn't the Super Bowl and the Ky Derby going on on the same day. That wouldn't be the issue at all.

There would be a far higher percentage of out of towners for the BC than for the meet. Are there enough hotels etc for such a crowd for 3 days? I don't know.

ARyan · #38 09-17-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linny

There would be a far higher percentage of out of towners for the BC than for the meet. Are there enough hotels etc for such a crowd for 3 days? I don't know.

Albany is more then equipped to handle the crowd for the BC.

I don't know why I continue to play devil's advocate, as Saratoga will never get the BC.

Linny · #39 09-17-2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

If you think the BC crowd is the same backyard picnic crowd that fills Saratoga in August then you are mistaken.

I see many casual fans out back but I see and know plenty of hard core handicappers/fans who are strictly "picnic area" denizens. These are folks that have travelled to BC's everywhere. They are not all just casual racegoers and/or semi-interested fans out there.

ARyan · #40 09-17-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Learn how to read. I never said the average is 30-40 degrees. I used it as an example. I am also not so sure how reliable those graphs are. Average high for July and August was 81-83 degrees. I was at the track at least 20 times this year. It might have been that once or twice. The rest of the time it was 90 or so.

Either way, my point is and always has been the weather combined with the fact that there is no room is why it will never come here. It's not an issue in the summer and wouldn't be if this was Florida, because people can hang in the backyard. However when it is 54-58 LOL, or maybe, just maybe it's one of those rare days where the temp is under the average, where do you think people can go? Other than home...

The graphs must be unreliable; they are only published by the National Weather Association.

You used an example that was wrong, very wrong. Sorry that you do not like facts used to point out the falsehoods you use as fact in your arguments.

I am not disagreeing that Saratoga will not get a BC. I just feel that the reasons are more then weather related. I do not feel weather is the only reason, or the most pertinent reason.